Don McLean News

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is thrilled to present a stunning new array of SENSE-ATIONAL events, everything from the legendary musical song-stylings of Don McLean to the music of Jimi Hendrix or Abba, La Mirada Theatre brings you the events that will have you rocking your way into 2016!

The internationally award-winning cabaret artist Tim Draxl returns to the cabaret stage on Thursday 18 February for one night only at Slide Lounge in his new show ONCE UPON ANOTHER TIME as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras celebrations.

Back by popular demand following his 2013 tour, which saw sold-out performances across Australia, Don McLean will return to Queensland Performing Art Centre's (QPAC's) Concert Hall on Monday 21 March 2016, for a one-night-only performance of his celebrated works.

New shows on sale this week at bergenPAC: The Brian Setzer Orchestra 12th Annual Christmas Rocks! Tour – Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 8PM; Fab Four – Friday, February 19, 2016 at 8PM; Don McLean and Judy Collins – Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 8PM; New Jersey Ballet's Don Quixote – Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 8PM; and New Jersey Ballet's Cinderella – Sunday April 24, 2016 at 1PM and 4PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 21, 2015 at 11AM at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling bergenPAC's Box Office at 201.227.1030.

Timeless artists Don McLean and Judy Collins will perform classic American hits at The Orleans Showroom this weekend, July 18 and 19.

I think that nearly every review of the MUNY's extraordinary production of BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will probably make mention of Don McLean's song 'American Pie', which is lyrically centered around the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of three of music's rising stars one very cold day in February of 1959. In fact, 'the day the music died' has become a rather morbid catchphrase of sorts that has been utilized far too often by the media whenever an iconic musician passes on. I also believe I'm not alone in my assessment that this early'jukebox' musical is an absolutely terrific show that's immensely entertaining. I not only highly recommend this excellent show, but am branding it as a must see production!

He doesn't want to say 'Bye, bye' to Miss American Pie just yet. In the summer of 2013 and early 2014, BroadwayWorld New York cabaret editor/reviewer and Cabaret Scenes Magazine feature writer Stephen Hanks fulfilled his long-held fantasy to perform a cabaret show based on the songbook of 1970s pop singer/songwriter Don McLean, who wrote the classic song, 'American Pie.' Hanks' show BEYOND AMERICAN PIE: THE DON McLEAN SONGBOOK was staged four times at Manhattan's Metropolitan Room and once at Stage 72 (The Triad), and Hanks says the reaction from reviewers and audience members was surprisingly positive. Now Hanks is bringing back his Don McLean 'tribute show,' only this time as DON McLEAN: STORYTELLER, and he'll be performing it at the World Famous Don't Tell Mama 'Brick Room' today, June 20 and Monday, June 29, both shows at 7 pm.

In 1969, McLean recorded his first album 'Tapestry' in Berkeley, Calif. Student riots were going on outside the studio as Don was singing 'And I Love You So' inside. The album was first released by Mediarts and achieved commercial success.

Jim Parsons appears as God appearing as Jim Parsons in the first Broadway play based on a Twitter account.

He doesn't want to say 'Bye, bye' to Miss American Pie just yet. In the summer of 2013 and early 2014, BroadwayWorld New York cabaret editor/reviewer and Cabaret Scenes Magazine feature writer Stephen Hanks fulfilled his long-held fantasy to perform a cabaret show based on the songbook of 1970s pop singer/songwriter Don McLean, who wrote the classic song, 'American Pie.' Hanks' show BEYOND AMERICAN PIE: THE DON McLEAN SONGBOOK was staged four times at Manhattan's Metropolitan Room and once at Stage 72 (The Triad), and Hanks says the reaction from reviewers and audience members was surprisingly positive. Now Hanks is bringing back his Don McLean 'tribute show,' only this time as DON McLEAN: STORYTELLER, and he'll be performing it at the World Famous Don't Tell Mama 'Brick Room' on Saturday, June 20 and Monday, June 29, both shows at 7 pm.

The Program Launch for the second half of 2015 shows that the Independent Music Theatre team comprising Luckiest Productions (David Campbell, Lisa Campbell and Richard Carroll), Neglected Musicals (Michelle Guthrie), and Neil Gooding Productions, the driving force behind Hayes Theatre Company, have no intention of slowing down are staying true to their vision to provide a permanent home for small-scale musical theatre and cabaret.

FST is pleased to announce the final extension of the longest running Cabaret show in FST history, American Pie. The show is now extended through May 10, completing a record-breaking 19 week run.

Originally from Oklahoma, Broadway superstar Kelli O'Hara has been thrilling New York audiences as Anna Leonowens in Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway revival of THE KING AND I. While she is busy putting the final touches on this cherished, classic role before the critics take their seats for opening night, I am exploring her charismatic solo albums WONDER IN THE WORLD, a collection of classic tunes arranged and orchestrated by Harry Connick, Jr., and ALWAYS, a collection of music from Broadway shows and gifted musical writers.

Below, check out monologue quotables fromNBC's TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON, for the week of April 6:

The worldwide smash-hit musical BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will be rocking the Civic Arts Plaza this weekend, March 12-15. February 3rd marks the 56th anniversary of 'the Day the Music Died', as Don McLean called the death of Buddy Holly in the song 'American Pie.' But this musical proves that the music, like Buddy's legacy, lives on.

BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will be performed at the Harris Center on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7:30 pm and Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 2 & 7:30 pm.

As the world remembers the 56th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens, The Tobin Center shared the life and death of Buddy Holly in a very special February 3rd commemoration.

The worldwide smash-hit musical BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will be rocking the Civic Arts Plaza March 12-15. February 3rd marks the 56th anniversary of "the Day the Music Died", as Don McLean called the death of Buddy Holly in the song 'American Pie.' But this musical proves that the music, like Buddy's legacy, lives on.

If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.